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How “MTV Music Generator” and Jim Guthrie Inspired the Next Big Mobile Game, “Sword and Sworcery EP”

It’s no secret that we’re enamored Capy Games‘ latest title, “Superbrothers: Sword and Sworcery EP,” a downloadable game that will release on the iPad and iPad 2 sometime around the vernal equinox. We had a chance to catch up with one of the developers, Craig Adams, at this year’s Game Developer’s Conference. He updated us on the project, discussed future Superbrothers plans and praised “Motorstorm: Pacific Rift,” all of which we’ll get to as “S:S&SEP” approaches release. One thing we’re happy to share today is this fascinating moment from the official Superbrothers’ genesis story.

A few minutes into our conversation, Adams praised Canadian musician Jim Guthrie, who he credited as an inspiration and an honorary member of Superbrothers.

“I sent him my first published illustrations back in 04, and lo and behold he got in touch. He’s just that kind of guy. He actually sent me a record. 10 compositions he’d made on a PlayStation. Totally unreleased. Totally unlike anything else that he’d ever made. “

“He has this PlayStation 1 with “MTV Music Generator” that’s he’s been carrying around for years now. When he was on tour with Royal City, he’d be in the tour bus with this PlayStation and a controller, plugging in all these incredible compositions. Basically, getting these beautiful songs out of the weirdest technology.”

“He sent me this thing — that was in the early days of Superbrothers. I had this dream I wanted to pursue and this genuine, bona fide rockstar gave me some raw materials that I could do something with. I’d been banging my head against a lot of prototypes. I wasn’t a programmer and this was back in 03 or 04 when indie gaming didn’t exist. Whatever it was I was trying to do no one around me understood. There was no context for it. I was trying these prototypes, getting far enough to be excited, then failing to solve the bugs or whatever.”

“So when I got this music, I was like I know what I can do. I’ll make a music video. I’ll take the prototype I want to make and instead I’ll just animate it. I called it “Children of the Clone,” which was the title of the song Jim [Guthrie] gave me. He took one note on his guitar, put it on a memory stick, jammed it into his PlayStation, replicated it a million times in this composition that starts out as a single note and ends up like this bizarre, I don’t know, harpsichord sounding thing.”

“I showed it to Jim. I was so proud, because I’d never done anything like that. And Jim dug it. We’ve been vaguely in touch ever sense.”

Guthrie is providing the music for “Sword and Sworcery,” and the businessman character from this clip makes an appearance in the most recent trailer. Here’s “Children of the Clone.”

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The Best Of The Last

The end is near. In mere days Portlandia wraps up its final season, and oh what a season it’s been. Lucky for you, you can watch the entire season right now right here and on the IFC app, including this free episode courtesy of Subaru.

But now, let’s take a moment to look back at some of the new classics Fred and Carrie have so thoughtfully bestowed upon us. (We’ll be looking back through tear-blurred eyes, but you do you.)

Couples Dinner

It’s not that being single sucks, it’s that you suck if you’re single.

Cancel it!

A sketch for anyone who has cancelled more appointments than they’ve kept. Which is everyone.

Forgotten America

This one’s a “Serial” killer…everything both right and wrong about true crime podcasts.

Wedding Planners

The only bad wedding is a boring wedding.

Disaster Hut

It’s only the end of the world if your doomsday kit doesn’t include rosé.

Catch up on Portlandia’s final episodes on demand and at IFC.com

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Your Portlandia Personality Test

Carrie and Fred understand that although we have so much in common, we’re each so beautifully unique and different. To help us navigate those differences, Portlandia has found an easy and honest way to embrace our special selves in the form of a progressive new traffic system: a specific lane for every kind of driver. It’s all in honor of the show’s 8th and final season, and it’s all presented by Subaru.

Ready to find out who you really are? Match your personality to a lane and hop on the expressway to self-understanding.

Lane 10: Trucks Piled With Junk

Your junk is falling out of your trunk. Shake a tail light, people — this lane is for you.

Lane 33: Twins

You’re like a Gemini, but waaaay more pedestrian. Maybe you and a friend just wear the same outfits a lot. Who cares, it’s just twinning enough to make you feel special.

Lane 27: Broken Windows

Bad luck follows you around and everyone knows it. Your proverbial seat is always damp from proverbial rain. Is this the universe telling you to swallow your pride? Yes.

Lane 69: Filthy Cars

You’re all about convenience. Getting your car washed while you drive is a no-brainer.

Lane 43: Newly Divorced Singles

It’s been a while since you’ve driven alone, and you don’t know the rules of the road anymore. What’s too fast? What’s too slow? Are you sending the right signals? Don’t worry, the breakdown lane is nearby if you need it.

Still can’t find a lane to match your personality? Check out all the videos here. And see the final season of Portlandia this spring on IFC.